Both bourses strongly fluctuated at the start of the afternoon session, but investors helped improve the market by increasing their purchasing volume.

The VN-Index gained 0.21 per cent to close at 563.00 points, with gainers outnumbering decliners by 130 to 76.

Market liquidity fell by 10 per cent to more than 108 million shares being traded. Total trading value was VND1.55 billion (US$72 million), a decrease of 17.8 per cent over last Friday.

FLC Group (FLC) closed the session as the most active code with more than 14.6 million shares being traded. However, FLC shares dropped 1.92 per cent to VND10,200.

Adventurous investors continued to put their money into Ocean Group JSC (OGC), though this share again hit the floor price at VND2,400. During yesterday's session, more than 6.4 million FLC shares were traded.

The VN30 Index, covering the 30 largest stocks by market value and liquidity, rose 0.3 per cent to end at 588.36 points. This basket had a mixed performance with 13 gainers and 15 losers.

Other large-cap shares, including Ma San Group (MSN), Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation (REE) and FPT Corporation (FPT) gained by 1.22 per cent, 0.39 per cent and 3.84 per cent, respectively.

Bank stocks had a mixed performance. Half of them rose, including the Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BID), Vietinbank (CTG) and Sacombank (STB). The other half, including Military Bank (MBB), Vietcombank (VCB) and Eximbank (EIB) declined.

Gas stocks worsened on the market. PetroVietnam Gas JSC (GAS) remained flat, while others such as Petrovietnam Drilling & Well Service Corporation (PVD) and PetroVietnam Transportation Corporation (PVT) were down 0.93 per cent and 0.87 per cent, respectively.

The northern bourse also improved. The HNX-Index edged up 0.88 per cent to finish at 80.25 points. Of all stocks, gainers also outnumbered losers by 121 to 74, while 168 others stayed flat.